Uploaded April 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Welcome to I’ll Knit (& Spin!) If I want To! I asked y’all to send in some of your questions (from everything from fiber arts, to designing and on!) so I could put together a little video for y’all every Friday doing my best to answer your questions!
Sign up for my newsletter here: Sign up for the DRK Newsletter: eepurl.com/diPxsr
In this week’s episode we cover:
1. I am confused! Can I always use German Short Rows instead of Wrap & Turn? Does the stitch count change in any way?
I very much enjoy your weekly podcasts and your instructional videos. Thank you for all that you do. You have in many ways helped to give me back my love of knitting, spinning and weaving! When I am really honest…….sewing clothes too. Thank you!
Crafty Class: craftsy.com/class/essential-short-row-techniques
Carol Feller’s Workshop: stolen-stitches.teachable.com/p/short-row-knits
2. Hi Andrea, I've been following your podcast since its first ever episode. Sitting on my couch, watching your podcast with a nice cup of coffee has long ago become my Saturday morning ritual. I love your designs - knitting the Traveller hoodie for the fourth (or fifth?) time and I have so many Stripes. I'm on the lookout for the perfect knit cardigan and you nailed it with the DRK Everyday Cardigan, well, almost. The thing is ... I don't like buttons! Do you have any thoughts about how I could convert it into a zipped garment? Like, what front edging would you do where the zip gets sewn in? An icord, the button band, something else? My edge stitches are never even enough to not need one. And at the collar? What do I do there? I really, really the cardigan but would just never wear it with buttons. Please help me to my perfect cardigan!
Zipper Posts & Tutorials:
moderndailyknitting.com/community/on-zippers-in-knits
youtu.be/PY9Z6uXQklQ?si=CdroKD0V-bSRfpFg
youtu.be/tmaB738P35k?si=1pmI6mig-A6lO5Li
3. I am currently knitting the DRK cardi, and I love it! However, I’ve realized that I don’t always have pockets in my trousers or dresses, so I plan to add a pocket inside the cardi for small items. My idea is to knit a separate square with a slanted edge and then sew it to the inside. I wonder if this is a good method—what are your thoughts on it?
4. First, thank you for adding the discussion topics on your YouTube thumbnails--so amazing when I'm trying to find something in particular that I know you've talked about. I know you talked about pockets in episode 198 and I've viewed the afterthought pocket on the Winter's Beach Cardi by Apricot Yarn and Supply.
My question is if there are any hints and tips that I should be aware of when it comes to pocket linings? I've heard that sometimes pockets get loose, less stability, or knit pockets can stretch and not be great over time. Should I sew another cloth lining to the knit lining to add stability? Is there a way or technique I should tack the pocket lining down to a cardigan. Do I stretch it out and do a specific sewing technique? Anything and everything about pockets please!
Brooklyn Tweed Patch Pockets: brooklyntweed.com/pages/how-to-knit-patch-pockets%20srsltid=AfmBOor8x8llcnSXzK0DJPfDpfGrGnxjZaGl3CxkaHQNvdKihmwnsGiw
5. I am knitting the Comfort Fade cardi for the March-May knitalong and am so excited by how the fade is progressing! I had a couple modification questions that I wondered if the podcast audience would also find helpful! I love the look of the shawl collar, but having knit 2 open style cardigans previously, I've found I haven't found them that practical for warmth especially when going out because they typically drop to the side or blow open. And I also wonder if not being able to close it will cause some of that beautiful color fade to be missed in the front compared to when it's pulled shut. But, I also have a hard time picturing that lovely shawl collar with buttons. Do you have any ideas for a subtle way to keep the cardi closed so that it can be practical? And is there an afterthought method for adding closures if I first knit the collar as written? My other modification question: I keep waffling on which side I like better! On the reverse stockinette side, the intended right side, the colors blend together beautifully like a lake, but I also find I kind of like the bolder striping on the stockinette side. If in the end I find I prefer the stockinette side, is it possible to reverse? Could I add a faux seam to the wrong side or something?
Spinalong Challenge
Ravelry Forum: ravelry.com/discuss/dreareneeknits/4353630
Instagram Hashtags: #3ply2ways ; #drkspinchallenge
March 2 May KAL 2025
Shawl Forum: ravelry.com/discuss/dreareneeknits/4351754
Sweater Forum: ravelry.com/discuss/dreareneeknits/4351752
Instagram: #DRKmarch2maykal25 Ask a question for next week’s Q&A: https://forms.gle/pKM9gF9SixkdQwmS7
Ask a question for next week’s Q&A: https://forms.gle/pKM9gF9SixkdQwmS7
Welcome to I’ll Knit (& Spin!) If I want To! I asked y’all to send in some of your questions (from everything from fiber arts, to designing and on!) so I could put together a little video for y’all every Friday doing my best to answer your questions!
Sign up for my newsletter here: Sign up for the DRK Newsletter: eepurl.com/diPxsr
In this week’s episode we cover:
1. I am confused! Can I always use German Short Rows instead of Wrap & Turn? Does the stitch count change in any way?
I very much enjoy your weekly podcasts and your instructional videos. Thank you for all that you do. You have in many ways helped to give me back my love of knitting, spinning and weaving! When I am really honest…….sewing clothes too. Thank you!
Crafty Class: craftsy.com/class/essential-short-row-techniques
Carol Feller’s Workshop: stolen-stitches.teachable.com/p/short-row-knits
2. Hi Andrea, I've been following your podcast since its first ever episode. Sitting on my couch, watching your podcast with a nice cup of coffee has long ago become my Saturday morning ritual. I love your designs - knitting the Traveller hoodie for the fourth (or fifth?) time and I have so many Stripes. I'm on the lookout for the perfect knit cardigan and you nailed it with the DRK Everyday Cardigan, well, almost. The thing is ... I don't like buttons! Do you have any thoughts about how I could convert it into a zipped garment? Like, what front edging would you do where the zip gets sewn in? An icord, the button band, something else? My edge stitches are never even enough to not need one. And at the collar? What do I do there? I really, really the cardigan but would just never wear it with buttons. Please help me to my perfect cardigan!
Zipper Posts & Tutorials:
moderndailyknitting.com/community/on-zippers-in-knits
youtu.be/PY9Z6uXQklQ?si=CdroKD0V-bSRfpFg
youtu.be/tmaB738P35k?si=1pmI6mig-A6lO5Li
3. I am currently knitting the DRK cardi, and I love it! However, I’ve realized that I don’t always have pockets in my trousers or dresses, so I plan to add a pocket inside the cardi for small items. My idea is to knit a separate square with a slanted edge and then sew it to the inside. I wonder if this is a good method—what are your thoughts on it?
4. First, thank you for adding the discussion topics on your YouTube thumbnails--so amazing when I'm trying to find something in particular that I know you've talked about. I know you talked about pockets in episode 198 and I've viewed the afterthought pocket on the Winter's Beach Cardi by Apricot Yarn and Supply.
My question is if there are any hints and tips that I should be aware of when it comes to pocket linings? I've heard that sometimes pockets get loose, less stability, or knit pockets can stretch and not be great over time. Should I sew another cloth lining to the knit lining to add stability? Is there a way or technique I should tack the pocket lining down to a cardigan. Do I stretch it out and do a specific sewing technique? Anything and everything about pockets please!
Brooklyn Tweed Patch Pockets: brooklyntweed.com/pages/how-to-knit-patch-pockets%20srsltid=AfmBOor8x8llcnSXzK0DJPfDpfGrGnxjZaGl3CxkaHQNvdKihmwnsGiw
5. I am knitting the Comfort Fade cardi for the March-May knitalong and am so excited by how the fade is progressing! I had a couple modification questions that I wondered if the podcast audience would also find helpful! I love the look of the shawl collar, but having knit 2 open style cardigans previously, I've found I haven't found them that practical for warmth especially when going out because they typically drop to the side or blow open. And I also wonder if not being able to close it will cause some of that beautiful color fade to be missed in the front compared to when it's pulled shut. But, I also have a hard time picturing that lovely shawl collar with buttons. Do you have any ideas for a subtle way to keep the cardi closed so that it can be practical? And is there an afterthought method for adding closures if I first knit the collar as written? My other modification question: I keep waffling on which side I like better! On the reverse stockinette side, the intended right side, the colors blend together beautifully like a lake, but I also find I kind of like the bolder striping on the stockinette side. If in the end I find I prefer the stockinette side, is it possible to reverse? Could I add a faux seam to the wrong side or something?
Spinalong Challenge
Ravelry Forum: ravelry.com/discuss/dreareneeknits/4353630
Instagram Hashtags: #3ply2ways ; #drkspinchallenge
March 2 May KAL 2025
Shawl Forum: ravelry.com/discuss/dreareneeknits/4351754
Sweater Forum: ravelry.com/discuss/dreareneeknits/4351752
Instagram: #DRKmarch2maykal25 Ask a question for next week’s Q&A: https://forms.gle/pKM9gF9SixkdQwmS7
Ask a question for next week’s Q&A: https://forms.gle/pKM9gF9SixkdQwmS7
